Saints Enter Offseason With Breathing Room - and Big Decisions Looming
The Super Bowl is in the rearview mirror, and with it, the NFL calendar flips to the offseason. For the New Orleans Saints, that means navigating the salary cap - a familiar dance they've performed year after year. But this time, the music’s a little slower, the steps a little easier.
According to projections from Over The Cap, the Saints are only about $6 million over the cap heading into the 2026 offseason. That’s a far cry from the deep fiscal holes they’ve climbed out of in recent years. And for general manager Mickey Loomis, that’s a welcome change.
“That’s a good feeling,” Loomis said back in January, and you can understand why. The Saints won’t need to go into full restructure mode this time around. That opens the door for something they haven’t always had the luxury to consider: optional aggression.
“We got to be judicious,” Loomis noted. “We can't just go out there and just start throwing contracts around and doing things that we wouldn't ordinarily do. But we will have some different opportunities.”
Translation: The Saints have flexibility. And if they want to make a splash in free agency, they’ve got the means to do it.
Restructures on the Table
So how do the Saints create cap space? The formula hasn’t changed much - take the biggest contracts on the books and restructure them, pushing money into future years to lower the current cap hit. It’s a move they’ve mastered over the years, and they’ve got several deals that could be reworked again.
If they go that route, five contracts stand out as prime candidates for restructuring. Those five alone could free up close to $41 million in cap space. That would not only erase the current $6 million deficit but give the Saints around $35 million in room to maneuver.
Of course, all of this is based on a projected $303.5 million salary cap, and the NFL has yet to finalize the official number. But even with slight adjustments, the Saints are in a much more manageable spot than they’ve been in recent offseasons.
The trickiest contract to watch? Alvin Kamara’s.
Restructuring Kamara’s deal would push more money into 2027 - a year the contract is already set to void. That’s a risky move.
The Saints could also release the veteran running back with a post-June 1 designation, which would clear $8.5 million in cap space, though that relief wouldn’t come until the summer. There’s also the possibility of a pay cut - something the Saints have asked of other veterans in the past.
At 30 years old, Kamara’s future in New Orleans is far from certain, and how the Saints handle his deal could say a lot about their broader offseason strategy.
Free Agents to Watch
The Saints have 19 players set to hit free agency, and the clock is ticking. They’ve got until March 9 to work out new deals before those players are free to negotiate with other teams. Three names in particular are worth keeping an eye on:
- Demario Davis: At 37, Davis is still playing at a high level, and both he and the team have expressed interest in a return. But he’s also keeping his options open, and at his age, every decision carries extra weight.
- Cam Jordan: Coming off a resurgent 10.5-sack season, Jordan made it clear he’s not interested in taking another pay cut like he did last year. Still, it’s hard to picture him in another uniform. The question is whether the two sides can find a number that works.
- Alontae Taylor: Taylor is expected to have a strong market in free agency. Talks on an extension during the season didn’t go anywhere, and several teams reportedly showed interest at the trade deadline. If he walks, the Saints will have a major hole to fill at cornerback.
Filling the Gaps
With quarterback Tyler Shough on a rookie deal, the Saints have a window to build around him without a massive financial burden under center. That means adding weapons and fortifying the offensive line should be top priorities.
Wide receiver and running back are obvious needs, but don’t overlook the interior of the offensive line - an area that has to improve if Shough is going to thrive.
Three free agents could be intriguing fits:
- Breece Hall (RB, Jets): If the Saints decide not to draft a back like Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love at No. 8, Hall could be a plug-and-play lead back. He’s a dual-threat option who can handle a full workload - exactly what New Orleans needs if Kamara departs.
- Zion Johnson (G, Chargers): Johnson has a connection to Saints offensive coordinator Kellen Moore from their time together in Los Angeles. He’s one of the few Chargers linemen who stayed healthy and productive, and familiarity with the system could make for a seamless fit.
- Isaac Seumalo (G, Steelers): This year’s free agent class is loaded with interior linemen, and Seumalo is one of the more consistent options available. If the Saints want to add stability up front, he’s a name to watch.
If Taylor leaves in free agency, cornerback becomes another top priority - either through the draft or by dipping into the market.
Draft Capital
The Saints are projected to have eight picks in the upcoming NFL Draft (April 23-25), including:
- 1st Round (No. 8 overall)
- 2nd Round
- 3rd Round
- 4th Round (from Seattle)
- 4th Round (projected compensatory)
- 5th Round
- 5th Round (from Seattle)
- 6th Round
That No. 8 pick gives them a chance to land an impact player - whether it’s a pass catcher, a lineman, or a defensive cornerstone.
Other Key Decisions
One major domino still waiting to fall: Taysom Hill. The versatile 35-year-old hasn’t announced whether he’ll retire.
Loomis said the team is giving him space to make that call. If he returns, he’ll be a free agent, and the Saints will have to decide if - and how - he fits into their plans moving forward.
Then there’s Chris Olave, who’s eligible for a long-term extension. Expect those talks to ramp up as the offseason progresses. And don’t forget about Bryan Bresee - the Saints have until May to decide whether to pick up the defensive tackle’s fifth-year option.
Another wrinkle? The possibility of opening training camp early. With Drew Brees set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, the Saints could be tapped to play in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton - which would kick off their camp a week ahead of schedule.
What’s Next
For once, the Saints aren’t starting the offseason buried under a mountain of cap trouble. That doesn’t mean the road ahead is easy - but it does mean they have options.
With a manageable cap situation, a promising young quarterback, and a handful of key veterans in limbo, this offseason will be about balance. Spend wisely, draft well, and position the franchise to take advantage of a rare window of opportunity.
The Saints have the pieces. Now it’s about putting them together.